Strange Ontario

Never Seen Again, in Ontario?

December 8, 2021 by Laura Brown

The words “never seen again” are the creepiest phrase I’ve ever heard. They show up in childhood fantasy tales, as well as horror stories. So any story, fiction or fact, with those words haunts me. They are creepy and fascinating and a mystery usually not solved.

I’ve heard stories, reports and tall tales about people never seen again.… Read the rest

Urban Combing and the Lost Art of Found Objects

December 7, 2021December 7, 2021 by Laura Brown

The lost art of found objects. (It sounds great as a phrase but I don’t think beach-combing (or urban combing) has ever been lost).

Every where you go there are little things to be found. Most people would call it bits of junk. But, its all in the eye of the beholder. An assortment of bits of things found while urban combing can build a whole story, or maybe become part of a creative project.… Read the rest

A Tribute to Jerm IX

April 29, 2021 by Laura Brown

Somehow I often catch people at a crossroads in their life. This time Jerm IX, Jeremy Bertrand, is evolving from his old persona and into something else. Leaving much of the old Jerm IX behind. I found his note about this on his Facebook account, the day after he posted it.

I haven’t especially tried to find him before this.… Read the rest

Bankhead, Alberta, Canada – A Ghost Town

October 5, 2020 by Laura Brown

I found this post awhile ago, about abandoned places around the world. This was the only place in Canada posted. I haven’t seen it but the photo of the old train really makes me wish to see more of this place. I’m sure you can find more photos online, try Google Maps and the big urban exploration sites.… Read the rest

Rephotography of Historical Sites

July 7, 2020 by Laura Brown

This is a guide to rephotography which I found online a few years ago. Now the link is down and I can’t find a new link for it. So I am saving some of it here.The photographs which were on the site are not working now, when I view it with the Wayback Machine.

AN INTRODUCTION TO DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY

A GUIDE AND FIELD HANDBOOK

Gerald T.

… Read the rest

Windsor, Ontario for Urban Explorers

July 5, 2020 by Laura Brown

Windsor Blight, on Flickr

Group Description This group is for all those photos of Windsor, Ontario that exhibit the current state of property in the city. Abandoned homes, brownfields, vacant stores, empty factories, etc. The current commercial vacancy rate in downtown Windsor is an astonishing 24%. The residential vacancy rate is the highest in the country, and has been rising since 2005.

… Read the rest

Unknown Toronto Before Dead Links

March 8, 2020 by Laura Brown

These were really great links but now they are abandoned and missing. Disappointing.

Unknown Toronto “Sarah’s journal of secret Toronto facts and mysteries: TTC lore, hidden spaces, history, art, urban wildlife, film shoots and great Toronto food, clubs, bars, galleries, museums and shopping.” http://torontobefore.blogspot.com/ Historical photos of Toronto alongside of current photos from the same area.

Payphoneographer – Photographing the Urban Phone

July 6, 2019 by Laura Brown

Found on Twitter. You can follow the Instagram account or see the photos on Tumblr.

I think this is a great idea for backyard urban exploration. I don’t own or use a cell phone so I do still think about payphones, notice where they are and I’m glad to still see them around, and functional.… Read the rest

How do urban explorers post on social media without legal repercussions?

December 4, 2017 by Laura Brown

My reply:

Most likely because no one is monitoring social media with the idea of charging people for trespassing. Police don’t have the time for robberies and theft even when home owners/ businesses report it to the police. Also, trespassing is a minor charge, not dangerous or threatening enough to public safety to legitimize spending all that time on tracking it down.… Read the rest

Abandoned with the Piano

August 11, 2016 by Laura Brown

Not often I like (or see the point) having models in urban exploration photography. This time it works. I like the piano too.

Reposting from Flickr. (Yahoo was blocking the link to the photo. But it was available to download. So, something odd about the direct link).

Capture